Turning the textbook world upside down

Flatworld, a start up company that just raised $8 million, is launching a free line of college textbooks. Like Wireless Generation, which distributes www.FreeReading.net, they make money by selling related services.
For the last 15 years, textbook publishers have given away CDs and digital assets to sell textbooks. Flatword is flipping the equation and giving away textbooks and selling ancillary services.

This is still a decidedly first generation learning online strategy, but it’s an important part of the shift from flat print to personalized digital learning services.